Proteas captain Aiden Markram was at his best on Thursday as he led South Africa to an easy victory over the West Indies in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super 8 clash. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
A 14th T20I half-century from captain Aiden Markram powered the Proteas to a supreme nine wicket victory over the West Indies on Thursday in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Ably aided by Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton, Markram (82* runs off 46 balls) put the Windies to the sword with an imperious display of controlled aggression, mixed in with sublime timing, easily chasing down the 176/8 posted by the Caribbean outfit in 16.1 overs.
Although De Kock would be dismissed, after accelerating to 47 runs off 24 balls, in the eighth over — the opening pair setting up a solid platform at 95/1 — it would be a short reprieve for the West Indies. Markram continued to dominate the bowling attack, while Rickleton also smashed his way to 45* off 28 balls.
South Africa's Quinton de Kock. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Markram also dominated the Powerplay as the Proteas raced to 69/0.
During this period, opening partner De Kock was content to play the anchor role and feed Markram the strike before cutting loose in the final over of the field restrictions with two sixes over deep mid-wicket and boundary through the covers. The Proteas opening pair became the first duo to share three-plus 50-run stands for the first wicket at this T20 World Cup.
West Indies' Jason Holder, left, and Romario Shepherd. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Earlier, West Indies allrounders Romario Shepherd and Jason Holder shared a world-record eighth–wicket partnership to stage a magnificent recovery.
Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch had reduced the Windies to 83/7 in the 11th over before Shepherd and Holder staged a counterattack that yielded 89 off 57 runs to power the former champions a seemingly defendable total. The pair complimented each other with Shepherd (52 not out off 37 balls) beginning the counter-attack with a few lusty blows before Holder (49 off 31 balls) joined the onslaught.
It was a remarkable recovery after Rabada (2/22) and Ngidi (3/30) dominated the Powerplay for the Proteas. Rabada showed a promising return to form after Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bowl with two wickets after being introduced into the attack in the third over.
The Proteas face West Indies in the ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights on Thursday.
Image: AFP, BackpagePix
Rabada removed both Shai Hope (16) and Shimron Hetmyer (2) within a couple of balls after the Windies had got off to a flyer in the first two overs.
Both batters had earlier survived chances with Dewald Brevis falling over the boundary when Hope struck Keshav Maharaj for six, while Hetmyer was dropped by Corbin Bosch at mid-on.
Ngidi followed suit when he had Brendon King (21) caught behind before Roston Chase (2) played on as the Windies finished the Powerplay on 52/4. The Proteas could have had a fifth wicket when Ngidi dropped Sherfane Rutherford off Marco Jansen. It was the Proteas' third dropped chance of the morning, and 10th of the competition.
The Windies, though, continued to lose wickets when Corbin Bosch (2/31) entered the attack, before Shepherd and Holder changed the momentum of the contest.
The Proteas have a final Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe on Sunday. Victory there will most likely see them top the group.
West Indies: 176/8
Shepherd 52*, Holder 49, Ngidi 3/30, Rabada 2/22, Bosch 2/31
South Africa: 177/1
Markram 82*, Rickleton 45*, De Kock 47; Chase 1/46
South Africa won by nine wickets
PROTEAS: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
WEST INDIES: Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.